The Cross River Command of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) on Friday said that it had repatriated 769 migrants who gained entry into the state without valid travel documents this year.
Mrs Funke Adeuyi, the state Comptroller of NIS, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Calabar.
Adeuyi told NAN that the illegal immigrants were arrested at different border posts across the state and brought to the command’s headquarters in Calabar.
According to Adeuyi, the command did a thorough profiling of the immigrants and found out that some of them did not have valid documents needed to gain entrance into Nigeria.
“From January, 2016, till date, we have repatriated 769 illegal immigrants who came into Nigeria without valid travel documents.
“Also during the year under review, about 39 immigrants were refused entry into Nigeria based on lack of valid travel documents and other related reasons.
“We will continue to police the borders with a view to curbing illegal migration, child theft and trafficking, and other heinous crimes.
“ On a sad note, we have lost five of our officers this year,’’ she said.
She attributed the success of the command to the sustained efforts of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Mr Mohammed Babandede.
She said that Babandede had continued to empower the service with the enabling tools to fight human trafficking, child labour and illegal migration. (NAN)